the wisdom of Daffy Duck

I am primarily referring to his superior vocabulary and wit when compared to moderns who have replaced every adverb, adjective and oftentimes other English language fundamentals with a single word that carries no information or meaning in their application thereof.

Daffy’s exclamations were colorful. Such as Sufferin’ Succotash. Who in his audience even knew succotash as a corn and bean dish? We didn’t, but we full well understood his exasperation when this phrase was vocalized… colorful without being off color.

His great insult was to label someone a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. We knew that individual had been SLAMMED. None of us imagined the bird of the same name.

In my brief corrections career the warden one day decreed there would be no more profanity allowed in our units. I posted a list of adverbs and a list of adjectives that the offenders could learn alternative words. I share those two lists with you here, in case phuk and phukin are the only choices you know from those two categories … or, more likely, you know someone who could use a vocabulary expansion.

List of Adverbs

Abnormally
Absentmindedly
Accidentally
Actually
Adventurously
Afterward
Almost
Always
Annually
Anxiously
Arrogantly
Awkwardly
Bashfully
Beautifully
Bitterly
Bleakly
Blindly
Blissfully
Boastfully
Boldly
Bravely
Briefly
Brightly
Briskly
Broadly
Busily
Calmly
Carefully
Carelessly
Cautiously
Certainly
Cheerfully
Clearly
Cleverly
Closely
Coaxingly
Colorfully
Commonly
Continually
Coolly
Correctly
Courageously
Crossly
Cruelly
Curiously
Daily
Daintily
Dearly
Deceivingly
Deeply
Defiantly
Deliberately
Delightfully
Diligently
Dimly
Doubtfully
Dreamily
Easily
Elegantly
Energetically
Enormously
Enthusiastically
Equally
Especially
Even
Evenly
Eventually
Exactly
Excitedly
Extremely
Fairly
Faithfully
Famously
Far
Fast
Fatally
Ferociously
Fervently
Fiercely
Fondly
Foolishly
Fortunately
Frankly
Frantically
Freely
Frenetically
Frightfully
Fully
Furiously
Generally
Generously
Gently
Gladly
Gleefully
Gracefully
Gratefully
Greatly
Greedily
Happily
Hastily
Healthily
Heavily
Helpfully
Helplessly
Highly
Honestly
Hopelessly
Hourly
Hungrily
Immediately
Innocently
Inquisitively
Instantly
Intensely
Intently
Interestingly
Inwardly
Irritably
Jaggedly
Jealously
Jovially
Joyfully
Joyously
Jubilantly
Judgmentally
Justly
Keenly
Kiddingly
Kindheartedly
Kindly
Knavishly
Knowingly
Knowledgeably
Kookily
Lazily
Less
Lightly
Likely
Limply
Lively
Loftily
Longingly
Loosely
Loudly
Lovingly
Loyally
Madly
Majestically
Meaningfully
Mechanically
Merrily
Miserably
Mockingly
Monthly
More
Mortally
Mostly
Mysteriously
Naturally
Madly
Majestically
Meaningfully
Mechanically
Merrily
Miserably
Mockingly
Monthly
More
Mortally
Mostly
Mysteriously
Nearly
Neatly
Nervously
Never
Nicely
Noisily
Not
Obediently
Obnoxiously
Oddly
Offensively
Officially
Often
Only
Openly
Optimistically
Overconfidently
Painfully
Partially
Patiently
Perfectly
Physically
Playfully
Politely
Poorly
Positively
Potentially
Powerfully
Promptly
Properly
Punctually
Quaintly
Queasily
Queerly
Questionably
Quicker
Quickly
Quietly
Quirkily
Quizzically
Randomly
Rapidly
Rarely
Readily
Really
Reassuringly
Recklessly
Regularly
Reluctantly
Repeatedly
Reproachfully
Restfully
Righteously
Rightfully
Rigidly
Roughly
Rudely
Safely
Scarcely
Scarily
Searchingly
Sedately
Seemingly
Seldom
Selfishly
Separately
Seriously
Shakily
Sharply
Sheepishly
Shrilly
Shyly
Silently
Sleepily
Slowly
Smoothly
Softly
Solemnly
Solidly
Sometimes
Soon
Speedily
Stealthily
Sternly
Strictly
Successfully
Suddenly
Supposedly
Surprisingly
Suspiciously
Sweetly
Swiftly
Sympathetically
Tenderly
Tensely
Terribly
Thankfully
Thoroughly
Thoughtfully
Tightly
Tomorrow
Too
Tremendously
Triumphantly
Truly
Truthfully
Ultimately
Unabashedly
Unaccountably
Unbearably
Unethically
Unexpectedly
Unfortunately
Unimpressively
Unnaturally
Unnecessarily
Upbeat
Upright
Upside-down
Upward
Urgently
Usefully
Uselessly
Usually
Utterly
Vacantly
Vaguely
Vainly
Valiantly
Vastly
Verbally
Very
Viciously
Victoriously
Violently
Vivaciously
Voluntarily
Warmly
Weakly
Wearily
Well
Wetly
Wholly
Wildly
Willfully
Wisely
Woefully
Wonderfully
Worriedly
Wrongly
Yawningly
Yearly
Yearningly
Yesterday
Yieldingly
Youthfully
Zealously
Zestfully
Zestily

List of Adjectives

An adjective is a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it. Learn a huge list of adjectives in English.

HAPPY

Amused
Delighted
Glad
Pleased
Charmed
Grateful
Optimistic
Content
Joyful
Enthusiastic
Loving
Marvelous

ANGER

Annoyed
Agitated
Fed up
Irritated
Mad
Critical
Resentful
Disgusted
Outraged
Raging
Furious
Livid
Bitter

ENERGIZED

Determined
Inspired
Creative
Healthy
Renewed
Vibrant
Strengthened
Motivated
Focused
Invigorated
Refreshed

PANIC

Mixed up
Unsure
Stuck
Hurt
Frozen
Desperate
Anxious
Troubled
Uncomfortable
Stunned

STRONG

Sure
Certain
Unique
Dynamic
Tenacious
Hardy
Secure
Empowered
Ambitious
Powerful
Confident
Bold
Determined

SAD

Depressed
Desperate
Dejected
Heavy
Crushed
Disgusted
Upset
Hateful
Sorrowful
Mournful
Weepy
Frustrated

CONFUSED

Uncertain
Upset
Doubtful
Uncertain
Indecisive
Perplexed
Embarrassed
Hesitant
Shy
Lost
Unsure
Pessimistic
Tense

HURT

Let down
Tender
Wounded
Impaired
Damaged
Criticized
Abused
Crushed
Punished
Rejected

By the way, my enforcement method was to patrol my unit randomly, quietly, and upon hearing one of the banned words, assigning the offender to immediately discontinue the conversation, card game or whatever he was up to and write that sentence ten different ways. Here’s a pencil and paper. Go to work.

None of them appreciated the interruptions, and they helped each other avoid the foul language.

In two days flat the warden’s decree had been successfully implemented in my unit.